Costa Rica vs. USMNT: International Friendly in Orlando
The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will face Costa Rica in an international friendly on January 22, 2025, at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, Peacock, and Fútbol de Primera Radio.
Team News and Preview
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has made eight changes to the starting lineup that faced Venezuela on Saturday. Defender Miles Robinson and midfielders Benjamin Cremaschi and Brian Gutiérrez are the only players to retain their spots in the team.
Costa Rica, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in their last match, a 1-0 defeat to Canada. The Ticos will be without several key players, including goalkeeper Keylor Navas and defender Oscar Duarte, who are both injured.
Key Players
Some of the key players to watch in this match include:
- USMNT: Zack Steffen, Tim Ream, Walker Zimmerman, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic
- Costa Rica: Bryan Ruiz, Celso Borges, Joel Campbell, Anthony Contreras
What to Expect
The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair. The USMNT will be looking to continue their good form, while Costa Rica will be looking to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in CONCACAF.
The USMNT has a slight edge in terms of quality, but Costa Rica has a history of performing well against the United States. The Ticos have won two of the last three meetings between the two teams.
Prediction
The USMNT is the slight favorite to win the match, but Costa Rica is capable of springing an upset. A draw is also a possibility.
Conclusion
The Costa Rica vs. USMNT international friendly is an important match for both teams. The USMNT will be looking to continue their good form, while Costa Rica will be looking to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in CONCACAF. The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair.